Iron County register., 1887-07-07
PART I.-CHAPTER ".

fAhI I-CEAPTER w.
THE BARK AND HER CAPTAIN
The good bark Nellie Willis had
been for some years voyaging between
Boston and Havana. Her ordinary
cargo for the low ATTITUDES was salted
fish, and her return cargo was rum.
molasses or tobacco; sometimes all
three. Her master was also her owner
and bluff Captain Willis had been so
long in the coastwise trade, had for so
purchased and disposed of his freights,
and had such a rare combination of busi-
ness shrewdness with good seamanship,
that those who knewhim thought that he
must have much wealth laid up. But
the fact was that nobody knew the
Captain very well; and as he was ac-
customed to keep his own coUnsels, all
that was said about his possessions
was based on guesses, and not on
81 knowledge.
The experience of Captain Willis
covered many years and embraced
many voyages; but something quite
uncommon had occurred upon the
present trip. When he cast anchor in
Havana harbor, more than two weeks
before. he found himself almost with
out crew. A storm off Hatteras, un-
usual at this season of the year, had
severely tried his staunch vessel; and
though she rode it out in safety, it was
with the loss of three able seamen who
fell overheard in the gale.
Before the coast of Cuba was sighted
five more men were taken down almost
in day with malignant fever. One
died in few hours, the other four
were sent to the hospital as soon as the
anchor was dropped in the harbor
Short-handed as he was left, it had
been with the greatest difficulty that
Captain Willis had been able to work
4lis ship in, and now came the crown
ing calamity of the voyage. Sailors
are proverbially superstitious. and the
occurrances of this passage had made
deep impression upon the re-
mainder of the crew of the mel
lie Willis" The Captain observed
whisperings and consultations among
them, and, though they worked faith
fully taking in the return cargo, he
ing. Two days before September /,
when the freight of tobacco and mo-
lasses was all stored below. five of the
seamen came aft, and one of them, cap
in hand, addressed him. The spokes-
man said that he and his mates had
made up their minds that the Nellie"
had become an unlucky ship, and that
they dared not return to Boston in her
They had worked the ship faithfully on
the voyage down. and they asked to be
paid off for the half-voyage, and dis
Charged.
Captain Willis was the very last man
afloat who would tolerate any conduct
of this kind from his sailors. He
sternly ordered them back to their
duty, telling them that they had shipped
for the whole voyage, and the whole
voyage they must make. He added in
a significant way that such men could
not be trusted with shore leave. and
that they must stay on board till the
anchor was up again.
The Captain flattered himself that he
had settled the matter by his firm
words and decided way; but he did not
know the spirit of these men, They
had determined that they would never
return to Boston on the Nellie" That
nipht the whole five tried TO swim
ashore. Two were carried out to sea
by the swift current and drowned;
the mangled body of another was
found floating the next morning, al
most bitten in two by II shark; as the
other two were not heard of again, it
was never known whether they
reached the quay safely, or whether
they suceumbed to some OF the many
periIs of this harbor.
Captain Willis now found himself
reduced to his mate. Ben Hardy, the
cook, and single seaman, beside his
nephew, who knew nothing about
working the ship. In no pleasant
frame of mind, he went ashore and Of
fered a large premium to shipping
agent to procure him crew immedi-
ately. The agent promised to do his
best, and went to work. Ihe same
evening he visited tho Captain on
board his vessel.
ats no use, sir,'' he said. "I've
found a dozen able seamen in Havana
who want to ship; but one and all hatiy
refuse to sail with you.
..What do the rascals mean? the
Captain demanded.
..Why, the truth is. sir, the story
.bout your bark being unlucky has
been spread all over, and they Won
go in her. u-.,,;,
..,,n;ror about his cabin. I've sailed